Top Online Psychology Programs
With the finest Psychology Degrees you can learn to work effectively and accomplish your career goals profitably.
Clinical Psychology Degrees
Clinical psychology is a subfield of psychology that deals with the treatment of abnormal behaviors. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain, emotional disturbances and behavioral problems all fall into the realm of clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists are employed at health care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, family services agencies and correctional facilities. Clinical psychologists counsel mentally disturbed individuals but cannot prescribe drugs for treatment.
Top Schools Offering Clinical Psychology Degrees
Top Clinical Psychology Programs
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Clinical Psychology Degrees
Clinical psychology education options are available at the Associate, Bachelor, Master and doctoral levels. Undergraduate degrees in clinical psychology can prepare graduates for employment as assistants to licensed psychologists. Usually a Master’s degree in the field is a requirement to be able to work as a practicing clinical psychologist. A common degree at this level is the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree. Someone with a Master’s degree in clinical psychology can practice but only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
In order to gain a license to practice clinical psychology, it is required to have a doctoral degree. The types of doctoral programs available include:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
A clinical psychology program offers courses in both normal and abnormal psychology. Students learn to use various tools to determine what problems a patient has. They learn to observe patients in order to decide what the best course of treatment would be. Courses related to personality, cognition and human behavior, developmental psychology and psychopathology are offered. Cognitive science, psychophysiology and social psychology are others aspects covered in a clinical psychology program. Students also learn about motivational interviewing and clinical assessments as tools for diagnosing patients.
Specialties in Clinical Psychology There are a number of subfields within the realm of clinical psychology. Those interested in specializing in a particular area of clinical psychology have the following options open to them:
- Neuropsychology
- Health psychology
- Geropsychology
Neuropsychology deals with the relation between the brain and behavior. Experts in this field work with those suffering from head injuries and strokes. Health psychology refers to the social and physical aspects affecting health. Counseling to promote healthy living is part of this angle of clinical psychology. Geropsychology deals with the psychological issues faced by the elderly. Some clinical psychologists may work only with children or young adults.
Careers in Clinical Psychology Clinical psychologists work in hospitals, mental health clinics, prisons, rehabilitation centers and more. Some may have their own private practices. They help diagnose behavioral problems, identify issues and counsel individuals to help them deal better with their problems. They may also help individuals and their families deal with the psychological trauma associated with physical disabilities. Eating disorders, death, divorce and depression are just some of the problems that clinical psychologists deal with.
Clinical psychology professional conduct patient interviews, perform diagnostic testing, design treatment programs and conduct therapy sessions. The pay scale for a clinical psychologist varies according to the educational qualifications the individual has. On average a clinical psychologist can earn between 51,000 – 91,000 US dollars.